Clifford M. McGinty

Wednesday

Jul 17, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Rogue Valley businessman, Clifford M. McGinty, 91, passed away June 30, 2013 at his home surrounded by loved ones. Cliff was the son of Hugh and Lucille McGinty and had lived in the Rogue Valley for 80 years.

Cliff loved sports and played basketball and football while attending Jacksonville High School. He was awarded scholarships to several colleges in 1942, however deferred college to complete his summer job as a fire spotter on Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout. World War II began and Cliff enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as a paratrooper. Cliff served in the Pacific Theatre carrying out staff reconnaissance on Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Purata, and Iwo Jima, and as part of the first occupation in Japan.

Returning stateside Cliff married classmate Betty Jane Pawlowski. They started a family along with a wood and sawdust delivery business named McGinty Fuel. This business was later sold to Naumes Equipment in 1959. Cliff purchased a Tidewater Oil distributorship in Klamath Falls, Ore. He sold this business in 1963 and returned to Medford to establish a new business, General Equipment Company. Cliff loved helping customers solve problems and stayed active in the business until Betty passed away in 2009. Lessening his time at the office he turned the daily business operations over to his daughter, Susan McGinty Riches in 2011. He continued to come to the office to supervise, interact with customers, purchase inventory, and keep current with industry trends.

Over the years Cliff was an active community volunteer. He served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA; enjoyed being a member of Rotary International, Lions International, the Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol, and St. Peter Lutheran Church. He trained and teamed up to establish Medford's first public fireworks display.

Interment will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 19, 2013 at the Eagle Point National Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Medford. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Peter Lutheran Church, notation: Pipe Organ Restoration Fund; Commited Alliance To Strays (C.A.T.S.) P.O. Box 56, Medford, OR 97501; or the charity of your choice.